The fourth version of the draft Tampa Comprehensive Plan update is available on-line for your review and comment at http://plan2025.org. Informative text boxes, visions of success, opportunities and challenges are some of the interesting features throughout the different chapters. The inter-relationships between the different parts of the plan have been strengthened and better described.

The plan is intended to cascade; that is one chapter sets up the next and there is a purposeful progression of ideas and policy. Chapter 1 sets up the ‘Livable City’ theme of the plan and the reader understands the origins came from extensive public participation paired with research from successful cities around the world. ‘Livable City’ is the ultimate goal and ‘sustainability’, and everything it entails, is the key to making it happen. Chapter 2 introduces two new Planning Districts – Northside and Southside. The chapter also includes new goals, objectives and policies for the Livable City, Neighborhood Stability, Livable City and Infrastructure, Livable City Assets and Livable City Prosperity. Chapter 3 includes new goals, objectives and policies for Business Centers and Industrial Use Areas. Chapter 6 includes revised policies addressing Tampa’s Transportation Concurrency Exception Area. This final draft also contains a detailed table of contents.

To remind everyone of the public hearings, please take note. The Planning Commission has a public hearing scheduled for Monday, May 12, 2008 to review and make a recommendation on the updated Tampa Comprehensive Plan. Tampa City Council will be holding a public hearing on Thursday, June 26, 2008 for the purposes of transmitting the plan to the Florida Department of Community Affairs.

Thank you for taking the opportunity to review and comment. Your feedback is important in this process. You are also invited to call us at the Planning Commission (813-272-5940) to talk to us further about the comprehensive plan. Simply call and ask to speak to anyone in the Tampa Planning Division of the Cities Planning Team.